Washing machine



Dec. 24, I. c. D. SIMS WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 1936 Patented Dec. 24, 1940 PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE Clark D. Sims, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Sears, Roebuck and 00., Chicago, III., a corporation of New York Application November 12, 1936, Serial No. 110,449

4 Claims.

My invention relates to an improved washing machine provided with a lighting fixture which will facilitate inspection of the contents of the machine during the course of the washing opera- 5 tion, and can be readily moved out of the way.

An object of my invention is to provide a device of the type referred to which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to fabricate, attractive in appearance, convenient in operation and generally satisfactory for the purposes desired. A further object is to provide such a device wherein the electrical cables will not be visible but may be readily reached for repair, etc.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawing forming a part of this specification and illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a washing machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of my invention.

The numeral l represents a washing machine casing or tank having a lid l2 and supported on legs 13.

Secured to the casing I0 is a hollow post l5. Extending through the post I5 is a drive shaft I! for operating a wringer 20, said shaft I8 being enclosed within a tube 2|. The shaft l8 may be coupled to the mechanism for operating the washer, in a manner which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The tubular post l5 has formed adjacent its upper portion an annular flange 23 on which seats a collar 25. Extending laterally from and preferably formed integrally with the collar 25 is a light bracket 21. In the collar 25 is a set screw 30 seating in a segmental groove 32 formed on the exterior of the post l5, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, for limiting the are through which the bracket 21 may be swung. The post I5 and collar 25 are also preferably provided with segmental slots 33, 33 to permit passage of an electrical cable 34 which extends up through the post l5 and through the bracket 21.

The bracket 21 may be open at the lower portion thereof, as at 35, to give access to the cable. 34, and is closed at its free end, as at 36. Spaced inwardly a short distance from the end of the bracket 21 is an annular groove 31 in which seats an intumed flange 38 formed on a reflector 39. The reflector 39 is provided with a split ring portion- 40 whereby it may be snapped into engagement with the groove 31 and is rotatable with relation to said bracket. Seated in the end of the 5 bracket 21 is a lamp socket 42 operatively connected with the cable 34 and mounting a lamp 45. The wringer 20 is supported on a post 50, and preferably cast integrally with said post is a tubular portion 52 which rides on an annular shoulder 53 formed in the post IS. A plurality of spaced sockets 55 are arranged in the top of the post [5, with which sockets is engageable a spring pressed plunger 55, by which means the wringer may be adjusted in various positions about the axis of its support.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 4 is substantially similar to the one just described except that the post l5 corresponding to the post IS in Figs. 1-3 is provided with a plurality of spherical seats or cavities 60 adapted to receive a detent, which may be in the form of a ball 62 or the like, which is urged into the seats by means of a helical spring 63 retained by a set screw 64.

It will be seen that in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 the light bracket is adjustable in a number of fixed positions about its vertical axis whereas in the embodiment of Figs. 1-3 the arm may be moved to any desired position within the limits of. the groove 32.

In the operation of the machine the cover 12 may be removed at any time and the light bracket may be moved over the top of the washer and the reflector 39 rotatably adjusted so as to show clearly the condition of the contents of the machine. When. the light is not in use, the bracket may be swung out of the way, so as not to'interfere with access to the inside of the machine.

The cable 34 may easily be reached for repair, due to the open bottom of bracket 21, but will always be invisible, thus giving the device a neat and trim appearance. Also, by reason of the slots 33 and 33', permitting free movement of the cable as the bracket swings, wear on the cable will be minimized. w

Various other changes may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, and hence I do not wish to be limited to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted as broadly as the state of the art will permit.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described and in combination, a washing machine, a post mounted 5 adjacent said'machine, a clothes wringer su ported by said post above said machine, and a lamp adjustably mounted on said post between said wringer and said machine and arranged to illuminate the interior of said machine.

2. In a device of the class described and in combination, a washing machine, a post mounted adjacent said machine, a clothes wringer supported by said post above said machine, and a bracket swiveled on said post between the wringer and the washing machine, and a lamp carried by said bracket for illuminating the interior of said machine.

3. In a device of the class described and in combination, a washing machine, a hollow post mounted adjacent said machine, a clothes wringer supported by said post above said machine, -a shaft inclosed by said post for driving 10 said wringer, a bracket swiveled on said post betweenthe wringer and the washing machine, a lamp carried by said bracket for illuminating the interior of said machine, and an electrical cable for feeding said lamp carried by said post and 15 bracket and concealed thereby.

CLARK D. SIMS. 

